In the last couple of years, I somehow managed to make it (kind of) a habit to read more often, which has proved to be challenging sometimes, but very rewarding. A couple of months ago, and a century or two behind the rest of the planet, I stumbled upon Amazon’s Audible. The app has become my favorite companion while driving and/or on light jogs. I will be giving a brief review of the books I’ve and listened to recently.

100 Things Successful People Do by Nigel Cumberland

One of countless self-improvement and development books. To be honest, I finished it months ago, and I feel it’s the type of book one needs to skim through regularly for some of the suggestions and tactics to stick and to hopefully become habits. It’s a decent read with some inspiring suggestions, but months after reading it, the cynical in me does not feel it’s groundbreaking (But perhaps I should give it another read/skim soon before making that judgment).

Two Hours by Ed Caesar

By far one of my favorite running books. Ed Caesar is a talented writer who has spent plenty of time in Africa and around the world talking to some of the best elite runners to grace marathons all over the globe, in addition to their friends, families, coaches and agents to come out with this great read. For a runner, Two Hours literally gave me goosebumps, especially when it described some epic race finishes and performances in recent years to some of the biggest road races on the planet. Very inspiring and emotional read (in my opinion).

Running to the Top by Arthur Lydiard

To be honest, this was not the most thrilling read, but it was worth going through nevertheless. It is about a running coach from New Zealand who was quite daring and innovative in his training methods and techniques, which helped athletes from New Zealand to Scandanavia win unexpected medals in the Olympics and key athletics meets. It also has tips and training plans.

A Season in the Red by Jamie Jackson

This is a book by a journalist who covers Manchester United, and in this book, he talks about the transition after Sir Alex Ferguson retired, with the miserable tenure of David Moyes that was followed by the dire Louis van Gaal era, and touching on (lightly) the appointment of Jose Mourinho last summer. The unique thing about this book is that it is based on countless interviews, press conferences and conversations with people within and outside the club and it is from a purely journalistic perspective. It is a recommended read for anyone interested in reading about football management, management styles (in general), office (or football club) politics and how personalities and communication styles have a major impact on employee (player) morale and performance.

The book also talks about how the club transformed as a whole on and off the pitch after ‘Fergie’ retired, for example, the club was very reluctant to embrace social media, and had a very conservative policy online. That was all due to Ferguson’s old-style preference and style. This obviously changed after he retired, which was one of the blessings for the club in a way (Not the retirement, going all out on social media).

Sapiens – A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

Homo Deus – A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari

The Butterfly Effect by Jon Ronson

How Not To Be A Boy by Robert Webb